With nothing on the schedule for the CMNT anywhere in the near future, it becomes a time where there nothing left but to look forward beyond 2012 into 2013. With many of the summer leagues around the world coming to a close there are a handful of Canadians who are now heading into their off-season and will be looking towards next year. Finland, Sweden are already wrapped up while Norway and MLS are just about complete for another season. While those leagues are now at their end, the rest of the domestic leagues on the continent are in full swing with the usual suspects of Atiba Hutchinson, Olivier Occean and David Edgar playing key roles week in week out for their respective clubs.

In Sweden
The Allsvenskan and second division, Superettan, are now complete as IF Elfsborg have lifted the title for the first time in six years, and that makes it their second title in over fifty years. For Canadians in the league, it is the two keepers, Kenny Stamatopolous of AIK and Tomer Chencinski of Orebro who are of interest. Stamatopolous’ side finished as runners up in 2011, but this year slipped to fourth with only six appearances by the Canadian through the season.

Chencinski had a bit of a rough season, starting off on a poor run and looking like he was a bit in over his head, but in the final match of the year, earned a clean sheet in a 4-0 win over Gais. Unfortunately for Orebro, it wasn’t enough to avoid relegation as they finished second last and will compete in the Superettan in 2013.

In the Netherlands
Atiba Hutchinson as always is competing and contributing at one of the highest levels of Canadians overseas. PSV are in fine form as has been the case through the fall since the midfielder turned right back joined the Eredivisie club over two years ago. It is through the spring PSV have let leads slip and they are currently one point behind Twente for first place. A 4-0 victory over Heracles this weekend had Hutchinson playing as a defensive midfielder, and PSV keeping pace and pulling away from the likes of Ajax, Feyenoord and AZ. Currently the hottest team in the league, PSV have not lost in ten league games and have a stretch of matches, both in the Eredivisie and Europa League that will test them over the next month.

Atiba Hutchinson sets up the opening goal as PSV remain in second place in the Eredivisie in a 4-0 win over Heracles: